Mexico

Safe Kids Mexico was incorporated as an independent non-profit corporation in Mexico in 2008 and began operations in 2012. Since the organization’s launch in August 2012, Safe Kids Mexico has partnered with various stakeholders, such as schools, corporations and governmental organizations to spread awareness of child injury prevention in Mexico. Based in Mexico City, Safe Kids Mexico will focus on child pedestrian and passenger safety activities during the first year of operations.

Highlights

Safe Kids Mexico Launch

On August 27, Safe Kids Mexico celebrated the organization’s official launch at the Papalote Museo del Niño (children’s museum) in Mexico City. More than 70 potential partners and sponsors from health and education fields, local police, traffic professionals, federal ministries and international offices attended the launch. Speakers included Paco de Anda Orellana, Director of Safe Kids Mexico; Jorge Torres, Vice President of FedEx Mexico; Allison Sutton from the United Nations Children’s Fund; Mario de Agüero, President of the Mexican Child Product Association; Roy Rojas, of the Pan American Health Organization and Kate Carr, President and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide.

The speakers introduced Safe Kids and highlighted the critical need for child injury prevention programs and organizations in Mexico. The first Safe Kids Mexico Board of Directors meeting took place prior to the launch ceremony. Six members of the Board, including the Presidents of FedEx Mexico, KidZania, and Evenflo Mexico, as well as representatives from Johnson & Johnson, Michou y Mau Foundation for Burned Children and Bbmundo Magazine discussed future opportunities to support the mission of Safe Kids Mexico.

PHOTOVOICE

Safe Kids Mexico began implementing PHOTOVOICE with 16 children, ages 10-11 years, at Escuela Primaria Quetzalcóatl Elementary School in Mexico City. Students participated in pedestrian safety education and photography training, followed by a field trip to photograph the major hazards they encounter while walking to-and-from school. The most prominent risks identified included sidewalks in disrepair, open sewers, lack of crosswalks and failure of drivers to yield to pedestrians. Safe Kids Mexico and its partner, the Sustainable Transport Center, made infrastructure improvements at the school in September.

Captain’s Road Den

On September 23, Captain's Road Den, a road safety education mascot, opened his Road Den, along with the Director of Safe Kids Mexico, Secretary of Environment, General Director of Crime Prevention, Ministry of Public Security, a representative of 3M, Governor of the Rotary International District and other guests. The Captain’s Road Den is an educational tent for elementary school children where kids learn about pedestrian, passenger and bicycle safety through activities and games. More than 150 families attended the event and enjoyed the “Captain Road” musical theme, composed and performed by the Mexican rock band Sátiro.

Safe Kids Mexico Launch

Safe Kids Mexico PHOTOVOICE

Captain Road